Artist Bio

Frank and Ginny Maiolo (rhymes with payola) were born in Southern California growing up in the heydays of the 1960’s. They experienced traditional values juxtaposed with the burgeoning peace and love generation. This influenced their lives by creating a need for adventure, exploration and art appreciation. With this background and a long fermentation time, fast forward to now: married 39 years, three adult children, four grandchildren and retired from the corporate world.

Frank and Ginny have traveled extensively throughout their 39 years of marriage in an attempt to appreciate and understand other cultures. While their early lives were shaped by the ocean and beach, their last twenty five years have been spent in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. This husband and wife team have returned to what they valued as children; nature, freedom and individuality.

Ginny has been artistic throughout her life enjoying all aspects of design. Her primary focus since 2007 had been painting (watercolor and acrylic). Several years ago she began the quest to learn metalsmithing. Ginny’s love of nature presents itself in organic designs with the use of beautiful gemstones and mixed metals. Frank has had a love for photography since high school and became a student of metalsmithing and jewelry design after seeing the tactile delight it offered his wife. His interest in Native American and Latino art and culture is evident in his designs. Drawing upon their love of nature, world travel and creative imaginations they have collaborated to produce a unique style of jewelry. Combining the masculine and feminine, simple and complex they have created unique metalwork designs that are timeless in their beauty and form.

Their art jewelry is being sold at the Commonwheel Artist Co-Op in Manitou Springs (Commonwheel.com). Frank & Ginny are also part of the Front Range Open Studio Tour with events in September and December. See the Events link for current information.

Frank and Ginny consciously decided that it is never too late to begin something new even if the fire began with a creative spark that has smoldered for over three decades.

Artist Statement - Ginny Maiolo

Collecting shells, sea glass, rocks and myriad other treasures consumed me as a child. Reflection on my collections and the organic nature of the items expose a primitive quality to the jewelry I create. My designs incorporate the organic diversity of the patterns of earth and sky. My inspiration rises from the oceans, runs deep within the mountain streams, shines down from the heavens and caresses me softly like the warm desert breeze.

In 2007 the artist emerged from the depths of my being and cried out for freedom. I was 58 and I began painting. At the beginning of 2012 I started working with metal and found the tactile expression that metalsmithing provides. The metals are raw and malleable. I consistently incorporate stones into my pendants that beg to tell a story. The narrative may be that of an incredible moonrise, a blazing desert sun or the journey from this earthly plane to a spiritual plane.

The primitive nature of my pieces is a result of the perfect imperfection that nature provides. Life is asymmetrical and my personal challenge is to “let it be.” I am creating a reality that is much closer to the “truth” by savoring the primitive, organic elements that create our world.

Artist Statement - Frank Maiolo

As a jewelry artist and metalsmith my goal is to create works that are an extension of my inner self and emotions and resonates with others. Jewelry is intimate and needs to satisfy the sense of touch with pleasing textures and delight the eye with elegant lines, shapes and color.

For me, my materials choose how they are going to be shaped and though it’s not the most efficient method, I tend to design as I work. The tactile nature of the metals, gems and materials can take on a life of their own and help guide me through the creative process.

Living in the Southwest I am inspired by nature, as well as, the ancient designs of those who lived here long before our modern society. The elegance of simplicity and the organic nature of matching metal and gem is an ongoing quest.